Going for gold with The Foil Invite Company

Metallics are huge right now, across not just stationery but fashion and homeware too. We caught up with Wendy Lewis, creative director of The Foil Invite Company, winner of The Wedding Industry Awards Best Wedding Stationery category, to discuss all things shiny, as well as how the stationery business is going and foiling as a trend for the year.

How did feel winning two accolades at The Wedding Industry Awards 2017?

“It was an incredible evening; the atmosphere was electric and the venue was stunning. The wine was flowing and we’d met a group of other suppliers from the North West. We were all enthusiastically cheering each other on. I felt very relaxed as I honestly didn’t believe we were going to win and was just enjoying the night. When The Foil Invite Company was called out as winners of Best Wedding Stationery 2017 we actually screamed! As if that wasn’t enough we were even more blown away when our name was called out again as winners of the Best Website in the Industry!”

TWIA scores are largely determined by customer comments and marks. How did you feel knowing that your customers had taken the time to vote for you?

“We would like to say a big thank you to all the couples who have supported our business. We are especially grateful to all the brides and grooms who voted for us, we literally couldn’t have done it without you! It’s a pleasure and a privilege to be part of the preparations for anyone’s wedding day and we really do put our utmost care into every piece of print that leaves our studio.”

What do you think it was that made your wedding stationery stand out?

“We specialise in foil printing – a finish that is perfect for wedding stationery. The beautiful metallic shine makes our products feel luxurious and extra special whilst still being personal and handmade.  Our products are hand foil printed and packed by us in our studio in Chester, Cheshire to ensure every order is perfect. We believe our designs are both current and fresh, yet timeless – that we strike the perfect balance of luxury and simplicity and pride ourselves on customer service as good as our products.”

You not only won Best Wedding Stationery but also Best Website in the Industry out of all the finalists. How have you made sure your website is great for customers?

“Working with the talented team at Stride – www.stridestudio.co.uk, we have invested a lot of time into making our website as user friendly as possible. It enables couples to view live previews of our stationery collections in a choice of metallic foil colours.”

What does a typical day in the life of a wedding stationer look like?

“The first thing I do is attempt to clear my emails with a cuppa in hand! When we first started the business I did everything – designing, printing, ordering materials, emailing quotes, web development, accounts, marketing etc. but happily we now have a small team with different roles. My main focus now is on developing new products and improving the website and order process. I still get excited every time a new order comes through, I love seeing which designs and colours people are interested in and trying to spot trends.”

The Foil Invite Company has recently moved into a new design studio. How did that go?

“The new studio is fantastic! We now have the perfect space to welcome couples to see what we do and browse our stationery collections. They can view the foil printing process in action and we can discuss all their stationery requirements in person. Consultations are by appointment only, please contact hello@foilinvite.co.uk to arrange.”

Metallics have been a massive trend in not just wedding stationery, but in fashion and homeware too. How do you stay ahead of the curveball?

“One thing people may not know about foil printing is that it’s not just metallics. We also have a lovely selection of coloured matte foils and the capability to use clear varnishes and blind embossing (raised surface patterns). Copper and rose gold are very on trend right now but gold and silver are a timeless choice for weddings. I don’t believe the beautiful finish of foil printing will ever go out of fashion and what keeps us ahead of the game is the quality of our designs.”

What are your thoughts on foiling and metallics? Will you be entering The Wedding Industry Awards this year? Comment below!